31.   Still, Battelle said the conference might not have the air of exhilaration of years past.

32.   That way, according to the process, each member has expertise, and each conference has an authority on the panel.

33.   The Big Ten and Southeastern conferences each have five.

34.   The conference has eight teams, four of which are committed to bowl games.

35.   The conference could have five teams eligible if Pittsburgh beats West Virginia Saturday.

36.   The conference has less than two weeks to find the answer before voting on the treaty takes place.

37.   The conference has seven bowl tie-ins, including the Bowl Championship Series.

38.   The conference has a few good coaches, a handful of talented players and the best of intentions, but it is buzz-less.

39.   The conference has no program for debating the issue, or even for deciding what precisely should be debated.

40.   The conference has only six guaranteed bowl berths.